Ignition switch



on a production basis.

Patented June 19, 1945 a i H.A. Douglas Mfg. Co. poration of Michigan Bronson,lMich., a cor I i 7 Application February 24, 19 rs, s rial bio-476,983 4 Claims. (01. 200- 55) This invention relates generally to electrical switchesand more particularly has to dowith an electric switch used on'an automobile or vehicle. A f

One particular lobjectgof the inventionis .to provide a substantial switch housing and firm connecting thereto a contact carrier. Another object of theinvention is to provide other a die cast housing or a construction in which tubular-bearing. o i

A further object is to provide improved. means for establishing: a detachable interlocking connection between the operating means and switchingmecham'sm of the switch.

Anadditional object is to provide a durable positive acting switch consisting of a very few the switch casing is provided with an integral parts which may beeasily and quickly assembled The drawing :annexed hereto illustrates a pre ferred embodiment ofthe invention and referring thereto: I

Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through the switch; l

Figure 2 isanupstanding view of the switch in another position with portions thereof broken away for the purposeof illustrating certain details of construction: j

Figure 3 is a transverse section showing certain movable parts of the switch a predeterminedpositioni i Figure 4 is a re'arend view of the switch showing the same in an off or fopentposition; Figure 5 is a view simila'r to Figure l show ing the bridgemeans in a position whereby to place the Switchin anon "position to close the circuit; and t =Figure6 is a sid view in elevation of apart of amounting'whichis adapted to receive and support the switch.

' "The switch'housing l is preferably cast so as to provide a durable switch casing Zand a tubularbearing 3. The casing 2 is preferably made cylindrical and provided with a cylindrical recess 4. The bearing 3 is also preferably made cylindrical in shape but of a diameter some- What less than the diameter of the casing 2. The bearing 3 is also preferably of a length somewhatgreater than the length of the casing 2 and providedwith a bore 5. The recess 4 and bore 5 rotatably receive the switching mechanism generally designated 6 andthe operating means or shaft 1, respectively. As illustrated in ;Figure 1, the bore Smay be provided with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending grooves whereby to alleviate friction between theshaft l and the:b0l'e, or for someother-purpose. The recess A is counterrecessed. or provided with an annular groove 8 which is adapted to receive acontactcarrier 9 and a spacer member Ill associated therewith, the latter being constructed of some desirable"insulating' -material.

The tubular bearing portion 3 is preferably Provided with a reduced extremity H whereby to provide a shoulder I2, the extremity H being exteriorly threaded as indicated at |3fso as-to receive'an internally threaded cap member 14. Any desirable means may be providedwhereby to secure the switch with respect to a support,

but as herein illustrated the switch is prefer ably adapted to vbe secured to the instrument panel of an automobile or other vehicle, As

partially exemplified in Figure 6, the panel is provided withacircular aperture [6 and a notch lllintersecti ng the aperture l6. The switchi s adaptedto be'connected to the panel mounting y: in erting the educed xtrem ty H mm th i ar aper u 1, fr m the rea Side q pth mou tin so hat the 1 1s 15.0. he shou er 2 is received n the notch l'l whereby to prevent rotation f theswitchlwith respect to the panel. The shoulder 12 is adaptedto engage the rear side of the panel mounting and the rear end of the cap [4 is adapted to engagethe front side of the mounting so! that themounting is clamped between the shoulder l2 and element M. The cap M may be provided with diametrically fdisposed holes 16 so that a spanner wrench or other tool may be employed for drawing the cap tight- 1y into; place. The cap notonly serves as a locking element, but protects the outer end of the housing, excludes foreign matter from entering the housing; andacts to some extent as a bearing and guide for the shaft 1.

v The end wall lSof the cap I4 is preferably provided with a circular aperture 20 which slidably receives a cylindrical enlargement 2| provided on theoperating meansor shaft above referred to. The outer extremity ofthe bore 5 is enlarged to someextent and alsoreceives a portion of the enlargement 21. The inner extremity of the shaft 1 is "preferably provided with a spring pressed locking element 22 which is adapted to bearjagainst a shoulder 23. The shoulderkis formed bycounterrecessing the inner end of the cylindrical bore 5, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. "To disconnect the shaft fromxthe bearing it is only necessary to "press the locking element 22 inwardly so as to remove it from the shoulder 23.

The inner extremity of the shaft is also provided with a tongue -24 which extends longitudinally into the switch casing. This tongue may be'located wherever desired but is preferably disposed. adjacent one side of the longitudinal axis of the switch, and may be semicircular in cross-section; The inner extremity of the shaft is provided with an axially extending hole 25, preferably diametrically opposite- ,the tongue 24 on the other side of said longitudinal axis. The tongue 24 and the hole constitute means complementary to other means forming a part of the switching mechanism whereby to provide detachable interlocking connections between the switching mechanism generally designated 6 and the shaft 1 and will be described more in detail subsequently.

The inner extremity of the-tubular bearing 3 is provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending substantially equally spaced apart detents 26,

at least one of which is clearly illustrated in Figure 1. These detents constitute a part of. the means employed for positioning the onf and off positions of the switch;

The inner wall of the casing 2 is preferably provided with a pair of inwardly extending abut- I ments 2'! spaced apart a predetermined distance forlimiting the rotational movement of the switch mechanism. The counterrecess or groove 8 provided adjacent the free extremity of the casing 2 is preferably provided with an inwardly extending lug 28 which cooperates with the contact carrier 9 and spacer 19 to prevent rotation projecting r ghan aperture provided therefor in the carrier 9 and an enlarged cylindrical head or flat contact portion 3| ,which is received within .a roundaperture provided therefor in the spacer member I0, the inner contacting faces of the heads of the contactSbeing disposed substantially flush with the inner planar surface of the spacer member Ill so that the bridge means may slide easily and freely from the spacer l0 onto the contacting surfaces of the contacts 29 and 30 and back onto the spacer. A pair of L- shaped terminal posts are secured to the carrier by means of the rivets 29 and 30 passing through apertures provided therefor in the bases 32 of the posts and oversetting same thereupon as clearly illustrated. Rotatiton of the posts is pre vented by providing each of the base portions 32 withv a finger 33 which projects downwardly into an aperture 34 in the carrier 9 as shown in Figure 2. The upstanding portion 35 of each of the terminal posts may be provided with a screw 36 or the equivalent so that conductor wires may be detachably connected to the post. Obviously, if found desirable, electrical connection means other than the rivet contacts andterminal posts illustrated may be employed.

The periphery of thecarrier 9 and spacer I!) are preferably notched as indicated at 31 and 38, respectively, whereby to receive the lug 28 above referred topso'as toprevent rotation of the carrier and spacer member with respect to the easing when the switch is operated. The housing is preferably constructed of a material of sufiicient ductibility that the free end of the casing 2 may be flanged over and upon the outer surface of the carrier 9 so as to firmly press the carrier 9 and spacer together and the spacer into intimate contact with the shoulder or base of the groove 8 and thereby provide a substantially fluid-tight switch casing.

The switching mechanism generally designated 6 includes, among other things, an actuated member 39 which is rotated through the agency of the operating means or shaft 1. The actuated member 39 includes a round substantially flatbase portio 40, having a radially extending integral projection dl adapted for movement between the pair of abutments or stop portions 21 formed on the inner wall of the switch casing for predetermining the on and off positions of the switch, as stated above. The base portion 40 is provided with. a semi'circular'aperture 42 and a pair of rearwardly extending struck outcente'ring projections 43 opposite the aperture 42. The portion 40 is further provided with a cylindrical peg 44 disposed diametrically opposite the apertime 42 and more or-less between the pair of projections 43. The actuated member 39 and shaft means I are detachably interconnected by inserting the tongue 24 of the shaft into th semicircular aperture 42 andthe peg 44 into the hole 25 provided adjacent the inner extremity of the shaft as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3; so

that there. is at least a two-point connection be tween the operating means or shaft and the actuated means. Obviously, other means may be employed whereby to provide a detachable-connection between the. parts just referred to, but as herein shown the parts are preferably so constructed and arranged that a part of the-operating means projects into the actuated means and a part of the actuated means projects of the operaing means.

The base portion 40 of the member 39 is also provided with a pair of axially extending corresponding fingers 45 and a finger 46. These fingers-provided adjacent the periphery of the por-' tion 40, are of substantially the same length, and more or less equally spaced apart circumferent-ially and slidably receive and support the carrier to which the bridge means of the switch is secured. The finger 46 is of ai-width slightly greater than the widths of the fingers 46- so that the carrier can be fitted onto the fingers in only one rotational relative position.

The base portion 40 of the actuated member 39 is further provided with a first pair of conical depressions or seats 41, a second pair 48,- and a third pair. 49, the pairs being substantially equally spaced apart circumferentially; The seats 41' through 49 are adapted to cooperate with the rounded detents 26. provided adjacent the inner extremity of the tubular bearing-portion 3 ina manner whereby to predetermine thetfon and off positions of the switch and will be described more in detail subsequently.

The carrier 50 for the bridge means 5| is preferablyin the form of an annular disk of insulatl ing material. Its periphery is'provided with a pair of notches'52 and a notch 53 which receive the pair of axial fingers 45 and finger 46, respectively,- provided on the member 39 so that the carrier 5!] will rotate with the member 39. The bridge means or contact plate 5| is substantially planar in character and preferably generally tri angular in shape, the corners thereof being into a part spaced apart rather small protuberances 601 which project laterally from the other side ofthe plate into apertures provided therefor in the carrier 50 as clearly shown in Figure 1. The contact plate is preferably secured to the carrier 50 in a manner whereby the contacts 54 through 56 are disposed between the notches 52 and 53 provided in the periphery of the carrier and the protuberances 60 are disposed opposite the notches 52 and 53 between the contacts 54 through 56 in order to provide a well-balanced construction. More specifically, the notches, contacts, and protuberances are spaced apart 120 degrees, circumferentially. This arrangement, among other things, permit the bridge plate 5| to be secured to the carrier 50 in any of three positions, and thereby facilitates the assembly.

A helical spring 51 is arranged between the actuated member 39 and the carrier 50. One extremity of this spring receives the pair of projections 43 formed on the base 40 and the projection 24 provided on. the operating shaft 1, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The projections 43 and tongue 24 providing means for centering the spring axially in the switch. The opposite extremity of the spring bears against the bridge carrier and since the protuberances 60 are inset with reference to the inner face of the carrier, the spring cannot engage thebridge plate to cause a short circuit. The member 39 is thus urged forwardly so that the detents 26 are received in certain of the seats 41 through 49 and the bridge means 5| is urged rearwardly so that the contacts 54 through 56 will all either bear against thespacer member I0 or the contacts 55 and 56 will engage the rivet contacts 29 and 30, and the contact 54 the spacer, respectively,

, whereby to close the circuit. Since the contacts 55 and 56 are the only contacts that engage the rivet contacts, the contact 54 will at all times be in engagement with the spacer member. In other words, regardless of the position of the bridge plate on the carrier 50, one of the contacts will always engage the spacer, and the contact in such case does not act as an electrical contact but merely holds the bridge means in balance and prevents rocking thereof.

It will be noted that the radial projection 4| provided on the member 39 is adapted for movement between the abutments or stop portions 21 provided on the switch casing so that when the switch is in an off? or inoperative position the projection. 4| is in engagement with one of the stop portions 21, and when the switch is in an on position as evidencedin Figures 3 and 5, the projection 4| engages the other stop portion. Furthermore, when the switch is in the oniposition the three detents 26 provided adjacent the inner extremity of the tubular bearing 3 will cooperate with three of the seats on the actuated member39. In other words, one seat of each of the several pairs of seats 41, 48 and 49 will cooperate with a detent 26 to hold the switch open, and when the switch is in an off position the other seat of each pair will cooperate or receive a detent. Thus means are provided for definitely predetermining the positions of the switch. It will also be noted that the rotational movement of: the loperatingmeanszand parts movable there with: is relativly-short and when the :cperating means is moved clockwise the switch "becomes op erative and movement in l a counterclockwise direction opens the circuit.

Having thus described my invention, 4 it is ob'-' vious that various modifications maybe made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. In an electric switch, a housing fashioned to provide a switch casing and a bearing, switch mechanism arranged in said casing and operating means disposed in said bearing connectable to said switch mechanism for driving the same, said switch casing being provided with an annular groove forming a shoulder within the casing, a spacer member seated in said groove and bearing against said shoulder, apertures provided in said spacer member, a carrier engaging said spacer member, said carrier member being provided with contacts projecting through the apertures in said spacer memberfor engagement by bridge means associated with said switching mechanism, and a free extremity of said switch casing being flanged over and upon said carrier member pressing said carrier member against said spacer member and the latter tightly against said shoulder whereby to provide a substantially fluid tight closure for said switch casing.

2. In an electric switch, acasing, a tubular bearing carried by said casing, a carrier carrying contacts mounted on said casing, movable means disposed in said casing carrying bridge means adapted to engage said contacts, operating means arranged in said bearing operatively connected to v said movable means, cooperating means provided on said movable means, and means provided adjacent the inner extremity of said tubular hearing extending axially into said casing engageable with said cooperating means for predetermining the position of said bridge means relative to said contacts.

3. In an electric switch, a housing fashioned to provide a switch casing and a bearing joined together, switch mechanism arranged in said casing and operating means disposed in said bearing connectable to said switch mechanism for driving .said spacer member and the latter tightly against said shoulder whereby to. provide a substantially fluid tight closure for said switch casing, cooperating means provided on said switch mechanism, and means provided adjacent the junction between said casing and said bearing extending axially into said casing engageable with said cooperating means for predetermining the position of said bridge means relative to said contacts.

4. In an electric switch, a die-cast body forming: a casing and a tubular bearing, a carrier carrying contacts mounted on said body, movable means disposed in said casing; carrying bridge means adapted to engage'said contacts, operating means arranged in said bearing operatively connected to said movable means, cooperating means provided on said movable means, and means provided adjacent the junction betweensaid casing and bearing extending axially into said casing en-' gageable with saidcooperatingmeans for pre determining the position of said bridge. means relative to said contacts. v

ELMER E. JOHNSON; 

